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Archive for the ‘Children’ Category

With the changes in technology, I too have learned how to send a text, check my email on the phone, take pictures and post on social networks, but I have realized my expectations lack anticipation. I have lost that romantic era of letter writing and the connection with my feelings, hopes, and dreams as I long for a response. Those days when I would record in a journal how my heart longs, the days seem endless, and my observations of my surroundings.

There was a time when I was told “Patience is a Virtue,” that it had meaning. I was encouraged to learn to be patient, to maintain steady perseverance, a quality to suppress restlessness without complaint. It would become goodness, an admirable quality that would enhance my life and character.

Excuses I would like to list, blame I can place on broad, general categories, but the truth of the matter, I have to take responsibility with change, to accept new things that can benefit and hold onto the building stepping-stones of the process that got me this far.

My grandson turned 10 years old this month, and I have enjoyed sharing with him each year we celebrate. This year he expressed that he was growing up and felt he had out-grown a few things. There are things we out grow, but virtues, morals, and patience should not be on that list. Those ingredients have become the stepping-stones that assisted, encouraged, and offered guidance to the technology we so much enjoy today. That anticipation to build a better tomorrow depends on those virtues of yesterday being used.

I was once told that when someone beholds and acquires patience, then that person will learn to observe, learn to expand new information, and share a sense of calmness, peacefulness to others which gives some stability to one’s community.

Yes, I will admit, I like the convenience of an instant response to my questions when I text, but I also miss those moments when I would day-dream while I waited and came up with new, creative ideas to keep me busy! Those innovative moments when ideas became gifts for others on their birthday, gifts that benefited a loved one and expanded my horizons in crafts, photography and writing!

The wonderful thing about creativity is I am always learning. Learning something new is insightful, but it’s also motivational to move forward and follow my dreams. New knowledge can create a different perceptive on problem solving. Then I feel better about myself, smile more, and seem to enjoy others around me.

Cycles of situations, the trails of influence, the cause and effect moments; I can choose to dwell on the emptiness of what I don’t have or the fullness of what I can use as resources. It is a marvelous thing when you think about it, choice, but it can be hard to obtain at times. Sometimes, allowing the influences of others can sneak up on you. Before you know it, you identify with their misery that they are comfortable with sharing, voicing, and pointing out the negative, the emptiness of their lives, the lack of desire, and unwillingness to care. I have been told to walk away, but what if it’s family, close friends, or your children?

I don’t have the answers, but what works with me, holding onto what’s true in my heart, my desires, and my dreams. Taking the time to see a young child smile, listen to their giggles, and share in their world of laughter. Walks to breathe in the fresh air, take in my surroundings, and collect my thoughts. A book that allows me to relax, take an adventure, or an uplifting article to read. Carrying my camera as I walk, run errands, to photograph something that’s an eye-catching scene or moment. But most of all, one thing that can be inspiring and help me keep a positive attitude; learning something new.

I appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to sign up for some free classes offered at my local community college, and when I leave, I feel inspired to share what I have learned, use what I have learned, and I discover that new ideas are creating in my thoughts. I am uplifted by the inspiration and the imagination.

In my opinion, welcoming something new, change, or a challenge it feeds into that cycle of situations, trails of influence, and the cause and effect moments; so, I can make better choices, which allow me, to concentrate on the fullness of what’s available, and use what’s around as resources to living abundantly on my journey.

Years come, and they go, but the memories they generate can have a lasting effect. When I was young I truly believed in the spiritual magic of the Holidays. My birthday is six days before Christmas and usually landed on the last day of school before Christmas break or on the weekend when all my friends and family could attend my party. It was the start of a warm feeling that seemed to grow. My grandmother would travel to be with us on my birthday and stay through till Christmas, and sometimes New Year’s. My favorite cake became the homemade, delightfully delicious red velvet cake that my mother made from the recipe passed down from my grandmother. In the kitchen, a baking aroma for that week would fill the house with sweets, breads, and a variety of scrumptious goodies for the Christmas Eve Swedish Smorgasbord. The twinkling of Christmas lights, the sparkling ornaments of silver and gold, and well known colors of red and green became my birthday decorations. It became a week of so much joy to be surrounded by family and friends.

As I grew, leaving home for college, I faced the various struggles and stumbles of life, but that one week in December, seemed to make a difference and remind me never to give up on hope. I treasure those memories and especially the feeling within my heart. There is still a spiritual magic today, and I still cherish the moment when it warms my heart and enlightens the experience of the Holiday season. I may have moved away from home and years have passed as I traveled on my journey of life, but that spiritual magic has never left.

This year, turning a half century, I still woke up with that excitement, that feeling of anticipation and took in the glow that the Christmas decorations offer and received the love that family and friends can offer. What I discovered this year, that unexplained, cannot touch, spiritual magic is still here even as an adult.

At times, I listen to other adults share their memories and sometime state how things were different when they were a child, but they don’t feel or believe in the unexplained Christmas magic today. It’s not for the child only; it is for anyone with an open heart, willingness to be a part of that season which God gave the ultimate gift. A gift that I cannot touch, I cannot concretely see, but believing…I can feel in my heart, I can observe on the faces of others, I can share with others, and it seems to grow the more I allow myself to participate beyond the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas to all and May the Spiritual Magic of the season be in your heart!

The last three months of the year seem to be my favorite. They are filled with celebration and fun, and yet be the most stressful times of the year too. I enjoy the changing of the leaves, full of bright colors and a cooler breeze that encourages outdoor activities. The kids seem to enjoy the creative ideas of dressing up, be it scary or humorous for Halloween treats.

There are more days out from school, and kids seem to look forward to the mini vacations. Thanksgiving rolls around and families come together. Folks engage in cooking scrumptious desserts to accentuate an incredible and delicious meal of turkey or ham, potatoes, beans, salads and so much more. People seem to share, smile, and think about others too. It’s a moment in the year to reflect and actually evaluate the gifts acquired throughout the year. For me, it helps me to focus less on my troubles or struggles and appreciate the growth, changes, and achievements that my family has made that have made me a better person.

This year, I am so proud of my daughters and the choices they have made and the love they share with my grandchildren. I am so grateful to my parents for guidance and love they continue to offer unconditionally. I can add more to the list, and I am grateful for that in itself. This time of year can warm the heart even if the temperatures are falling along with the leaves. I know I have observed many of Scrooges and Grinches this time of the year, but it’s my choice to choose how I want to celebrate. I like the warmth from within, when the temperatures can be cold, so I’m thankful for the blessings I have been given and want to share beyond the last month of the year.

That last month of the year, my grandson counts the days from Thanksgiving to Christmas for that school break again. Folks come out and about shopping and decorating for the season. Even with the economy and unemployment, folks seem to want to please as they struggle financially. Some folks can become extremely creative with gift ideas and crafts to share with love ones. People give toys, food, and other things to those less fortunate. It’s a time to be with family also and again share a moment of Thankfulness. I know I get detracted with holiday stresses, but I believe Dr. Seuss stated it well in the story, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, when the Grinch had not stopped Christmas from coming, and the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”

With each sunrise I observe, it always gives me the peaceful reassurance that new opportunities are on the rise. There are times, I have had a new adventure that came knocking on the door, and other times, I have had to use my creative imagination to develop and unlock the door to optimistic opportunities. The key has been with me, never to give up on hope. To believe and absorb the wonder of the artistic splendor that is shown as a new day begins.

Each day brings on new challenges, new definitions to experiences, and new adventures to explore. I have my days when things seem scattered like an unfinished puzzle, and moments when a piece seems to be missing, but stepping back to appreciate the newness of a sunrise gives hope that I will creatively find that piece as the sun begins to glow and completes the picture I set out to dream.

Journey to Living

Opportunities develop out of storms,To cope, to struggle, makes new skills,Treasures gained, the trust of a friend,Faith, hope, and love are strengthened,A better me in the development.The storms of life may seem tough,Pressures to restore may seem scary,Feeling… too tired to make the climb,Faith, hope, and love are strengthened,A better me in the development.Experiences, confirmation to living,Some troublesome with a lesson,Some pleasant with a gift to treasure,Believing in the passion of dreams,A better me in the development.The heart has known hurt,The body has known failure,The mind has known forgetfulness,The soul has known loneliness,Yet, I develop into a better me.God’s touch has been soft,God’s reach has been comforting,God’s hand has been strong,God’s grace has been lifting,God develops me into a better me.Laughter has given strength,Crying has drained the weakness,Each day has been a journey,Each moment of reconstruction,Developing me into a better me.I absorb and map the circumstances,Calmly rejoice for who I am today.I will witness results of my creativity,Empowering me to move forward,Developing me into a better me.

Each experience in the journey of living adds an essential contribution to being creative in life. As days and even years pass, time has been filled and developed with opportunities, to imagine, and express an original thought that can grow in the cycle of sharing. It’s astounding how creative some of the natural things are in life. Lately, I have had the opportunity to observe and reflect on the beginning of many of my creative adventures. In my opinion, however viewed, my family has aided to the motivation of becoming the person I am. Through love, laughter and tears, in my view, I have been one of those that have been fortunate to have a supportive family that strives to provide inspiration, encouragement, and joy. They had and continue to guide me to follow my dreams, aided me with strength when I have fallen, and defended me to grow into the vision I believe. Those gifts they shared came with unlimited rewards. It was only the matter of taking responsibility, nurturing the gifts, and allowing them to be shared through me to others. My creative inspiration comes from being grateful for truth, love, devotion and acceptance to grow from the heart.

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To build on being creative, one must construct upon the history or should I say the traditional ideas, rules, and social patterns that are relevant, fulfilling and will provide development and productivity. There must be continuous assessment and acceptance to change that which has become futile. To continue what has a purpose for the best interest of others and change that which has become inadequate, hinders, or becomes an obstacle to the growth of our economy and the American workforce.

Today, I am celebrating, like so many, Labor Day. It is more than a calendar date for fashion etiquette, end of the summer or just the first Monday of September. In the late 19th century, it became a federal holiday that was established to observe and pay tribute, to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of the American worker, the “workingmen’s holiday”.

Growing up, I had observed and listened to the various stories my parents and grandparents shared related to taking pride as a worker and being a part of the principles that it was honorable to labor, to work. Even during difficult or hard times, they still seemed proactive to promote the fundamental dream, which anyone that worked hard and took pride and responsibility in their job could accomplish for their families, the “American Dream”, would become the backbone to achieve and provide for their children, a better future.

There is something to be said about history. So many traditions, rules and social patterns continue without modification that have either out grown their purpose or may had only been a temporary fix, but continue to influence a perspective that may not be serving its purpose today and have become more of a hindrance to the growth of jobs and the economy.

Today, we face some of the same economic challenges of yesteryear, and have again witnessed the influence of bankers and the anger their actions and decisions can provoke in the labor force, so on this holiday, I want to recognize and give tribute to the working force that struggles against the deterioration of jobs, remains determined to provide for their families, and willing to take responsibility and voice the importance of why Labor Day was established.